The Pugilist

Timothy Bradley’s big stink – and 10 other wacky superstitions

Timothy Bradley has admitted he is causing a stink in the days leading up to Saturday’s big clash against Manny Pacquiao.

His bizarre pre-fight ritual is not to bath or shower in the week leading up to a fight.

Here are 10 boxers and fight figures who also have superstitions and wacky beliefs that might help a performance:

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1) JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ: The Mexican great has stunned fans by confessing to drinking his own urine in training camp.

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2) EMANUEL STEWARD: The late American trainer believed a fighter should not cut his hair before a fight. He told this to Joe Frazier before his third fight with George Foreman and a few other fights, as if it were a Samson effect.

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3) JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ: His famed red bandana was born the night he hammered Edwin Rosario. His rival brought a witch doctor to a press conference and put a spell on JCC. One of Chavez’s entourage gave him a bandana which he wore to scare off evil spirits.

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4) FLOYD MAYWEATHER: Many boxers eat the same meal after a weigh-in but Mayweather’s former partner Josie Harris claims he eats up to six steaks, plus pasta, potatoes, chicken and vegetables after every weigh-in.

5) JOHN MOLINA: The light-welterweight contender punches every ring post once when he enters the ring, even his rival’s corner.

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6) JOE MESI: The former heavyweight placed a scapular (catholic necklace) down each sock. One was given to him by his brother and the other his grandmother.

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7) DIEGO CORRALES: The late boxer used to watch a comedy film in his hotel suite before leaving for the arena.

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8) FREDDIE ROACH: When the master trainer punched for a living he had heaps of rituals. He said: “All fighters have rituals. I would put my left shoe on first because if I put my right shoe on first I might not have a good day. I always put left glove on first—that was Eddie Futch’s superstition. I got my hair cut the day before a fight.”

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9) ROY JONES JR: Florida’s boxing superstar would have two bottles of water by his side. He would sip from both keeping the water levels in each bottle equal.

10) ENSLEY BINGHAM: The former British light-middleweight champion would visit his mothers grave and pull a blade of grass to keep in his left glove during his fight. The Mancunian’s left hand was his trademark shot.